Written by Ahmet Tuna Balci
One of the most important beliefs held by all humanity from past societies to the present is the unanswerable question about the possibility of the concept of "Ubermensch" being really possible or whether it ever existed before throughout history. In reality, of course, the existence of a creature with the most perfect life form, both physically and characteristically, has not been scientifically proven until now, but as in every field, the desire to seek, question, or learn the unknown has always continued within the framework of certain beliefs by humanity. Ubermensch was best known by Friedrich Nietzsche, and many of the books he wrote, thanks to his striking comments on this concept, have become sources that are read and known around the world. It has set an example for people not only in the field of philosophy but also in many branches of life or in being a part of the life that people have determined for themselves [3].
Although it is said that it is possible to reach a situation that can be explained with science, especially within the framework of changes that can be made to genes, of course, there is no possibility of renewing any good or bad nature of human genes by replacing them with the most perfect one.
Just before mentioning scientific judgments, it is necessary to examine in a little more detail the views of Nietzsche, who is seen as the creator or at least the polisher of this concept, on this subject. First of all, Ubermensch, one of the most specular subjects of recent years, which dates back to the oldest periods of history and connects social fields such as philosophy or religion, is one of the rare subjects that should be taken seriously. First of all, it has caused debates that the divine basic god it is based on could create such a perfect creature on earth, but there are some findings that this concept, which seems like a dream, may actually have existed in ancient times [4].
In fact, Nietzsche has a specific list of the characteristics of the superhuman that can exist in his own way. These features are as follows:
It should destroy the values prevailing in society and shape the good and the bad on its own axis.
It should rebel against the traditional understanding of morality and fill the concepts such as morality and value itself.
Its priority should be itself, it should not prevent itself from developing.
It should not get help while developing itself, it should ensure success itself.
It must devote itself to the world. It must remain faithful to the earth, rejecting those who speak of supernatural hopes.
It should reject presuppositions and be critical and questioning.
It must be imaginative, creative, courageous, and curious; should see feelings such as sympathy, compassion, and pity as shame. Concepts such as humility, equality, and honesty should be ignored by the overman.
Apart from these ideas and divinity, the question of how real this concept can scientifically arouse curiosity. The concept of Ubermensch is more like the elimination of these features of us humans, who have deficient features, in more complementary ways, and the distortion of the perfect formula so that it can be completely deified in any way. In the philosophical and religious parts, we touched on our physical shortcomings, namely the perfection that should be seen more in personality than in our appearance, but now things are a little different. In addition, scientifically, the deficiencies of which we humans were created, Ubermensch, were eliminated in the most appropriate way and physical conditions that we could call "perfect" were provided [1].
Nietzsche took the basis of his ideas in the fields of religion and philosophy, which he stated, based on the famous evolutionist Charles Darwin's concept of evolution, which includes not only humanity but all other living things. For this reason, the explanation that science will bring will shed some light on this issue in general, both in philosophical and religious dimensions.
There is currently any real Ubermensch physically by these standards, but that cannot in any way conclusively prove that it did not exist in ancient times. It also varies according to personal beliefs. However, as in every field, it is aimed to eliminate the weaknesses of people as a result of the use of worldwide new techniques that have started to be made in the field of genetics or examining the DNA sequences to the most detailed level, and in this direction, the change of genes and replacing all of the diseased (missing) ones with healthy ones may be physically a sign of this concept [2].
Let's say it reveals. However, of course, even just the change of physical characteristics does not seem sufficient for the concept of vu, which is based on divinity, to exist. Most importantly, a creature with perfection, which is expected to exist as a characteristic and which can have features like a true god, should not need only physicality, again according to Nietzsche and many of the important personalities in the world of philosophy.
References:
7 characteristics of an Ubermensch. Simplicable. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://simplicable.com/philosophy/ubermensch
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, March 15). Superman. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/superman-philosophy
Maden, J. (n.d.). Übermensch explained: The meaning of Nietzsche's 'Superman'. Philosophy Break. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://philosophybreak.com/articles/ubermensch-explained-the-meaning-of-nietzsches-superman/
Nietzsche's übermensch: A hero of our time? Philosophy Now: a magazine of ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://philosophynow.org/issues/93/Nietzsches_Ubermensch_A_Hero_of_Our_Time
Comments